Lighting fixture



June 2, 1942. w. WILSON LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed No 7, 1938 I 2 Sheets-Sheet June 2, 1942. w. WILSON LiGHTING FIXTURE Filed Nov. '1, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 2, 1942 F UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIGHTING FIXTURE Wesley Wilson, Chicago, 111. Application November 7, 1938, Serial No. 239,223

12 Claims.

This invention relates to lighting fixtures and more particularly to lighting fixtures of the channel base type in which any suitable elongated tubular electric bulbs, preferably such as the so-called fluorescent electric bulbs, may be mounted in a suitable socket or sockets on sections of wiring channels. The fixtures including the channel bases may be placed end to end to form continuous channels, and when so mounted the tubular light bulbs thereon may form a practically continuous elongated light source.

Fixtures of the type disclosed herein are particularly adaptable for use in close inspection work where textile weaves, printing, or other products of an intricate nature must closely be inspected and light. of highintensity must be directed over a small working area. In obtaining the proper intensity over a desired restricted field and under various Working conditions, it is desirable that the construction of the fixture and associated reflectors be such that the reflectors or sections thereof are interchangeable and'may easily be mounted singly or in pairs in any combination with a minimum of time and labor.

The invention, therefore, provides a lighting fixture system including a plurality of easily interchangeable reflectors in which different lighting effects are easily and inexpensively obtained and in which the various units may be positioned end-to-end to provide a continuous elongated light source with each section or desired sections having different light distribution characteristics.

In the present embodiments the tubular bulbs are preferably removably mounted in suitable sockets, one socket adjacent each end of the wiring channel section, which section forms the base for each individual fixture. The sockets are preferably supported on a removable cover of the wiring channel and a suitable reactance, which is usually required with this type of light, may be mounted on the under side of this cover, whereby it is within the channel when the device is assembled.

It is an object to provide a wiring channel section unit of the character described having interchangeable reflector members associated therewith, and which are formed in a plurality of shapes in order to obtain the desired lighting characteristics, and wherein each reflector unit may removably be mounted on either side of the tubular bulb and may be used alone or in combination with any other of the reflector units to provide a great variety of reflecting arrangements. M

A further object is to provide a lighting unit 7 of the so-called wiring channel type which may easily be installed at a minimumcost and in which any desired lighting efiect may be easily obtained merely by an interchangeable arrangement of so-called strip reflectors. The reflectors are preferably sheet metal and furnished to the user in the correct size and length and are merely strips cut; to correct size and punched, ready to attach. The construction insures minimum assembly costs as well as minimum cost of materials used.

It is an object to provide a simple and efficient lighting device of few parts by which the lighting effects of more costly custom-built devices may be produced withstandard equipment at quantity production prices.

The invention also contemplates a lighting system comprising a plurality of lighting units forming interchangeable cover units for an elongated wiring channel in which the reflectors on each cover unit are interchangeable with each other and with any others in the system.

Further objects will be apparent from the specification and. appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end View of one of the lighting sections with the cover removed, but positioned above the channel for replacement thereon.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View through the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 with the cover in assembled position and is taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottomv view of the channel cover portion.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan View of the end of one of the reflector strips and illustrates the manner of cutting the ends of the strips to enable them to be interchangeably assembled on the channel cover.

Fig. 5 is an end view of two of the channel strips mounted side by side and illustrates one method of mounting the units with co-operating interchangeable reflectors mounted thereon.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but illustrates the method of mounting the type'of reflectors shown in,Fig. 5 on a single unit.

Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the sockets are assembled back to back on a single cover section.

Each of Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive, diagrammatically illustrates a set of interchangeable reflector strips, each strip removably and interchangeably mounted on a reflector unit.

. Each of Figs.- 14 to 19, inclusive, illustrates diagrammatically a combination of two of the reflectors shown in Figs. 8 to 13.

Fig. 20 illustrates another embodiment in which the cover forms a part of the reflector surface.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the embodiment illustrated comprises a U-shaped wiring channel section I. This section may be of the usual sheet metal type and may be mounted to any suitable support in the usual manner of mounting wiring channels. nel-like cover 2 is arranged to telescope the side walls of the channel I and to be retained thereon by means of angularly positioned clamp screws 3 engaging the edges of the channel I. The cover extends the entire length of the wiring channel and is notched at each end at 4 to receive an upwardly extending socket 5 which is formed of insulating material and provided with a base 6 which extends underneath the cover, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and is secured thereto. A bolt 1 extends through the base and cover which are clamped together by means of a nut 8, whereby the socket is rigidly secured to the cover. The upwardly extending portion of each socket may be provided with a side opening of the usual type having suitable electrical contacts therein to engage the terminals of a so-called fluorescent bulb 9. This bulb and the socket contacts may be of the usual type to receive and support any suitable elongated bulb, and it is thought unnecessary to describe them in detail at the present time.

The base of the socket is preferably slotted at 10 (Fig. 3) so that it may be passed over the bolt 1 and properly positioned in the notch 4 in the cover and then secured by means of the bolt 1. The socket base is. provided with the usual terminals H, which may be connected in the usual manner to a power line comprising the conductors l2. The new fluorescent bulbs ordinarily used require a reactance switch [2 in the circuit, and this reactance may be mounted within the channel I, as shown, and may be secured to the cover in any desired manner so that it may be removed therewith.

Sheet metal reflector elements l3 are provided in strip form and these elements are preferably angularly bent along longitudinal lines to provide desirable reflecting characteristics. The end of each element adjacent the inner edge is preferably out, as shown in Fig. 4, to provide a notch 14 through which the upwardly extending portion of the socket 5 extends and a comparatively small notch or slot IE to receive the upper ends of the screws 1. These reflector members l3 overlap transversely as shown in Fig. 1 and are snugly retained in position by nuts IS on the socket retaining bolts 1. It will be apparent that only one reflector 13 may be used, if desired, and that these reflectors are interchangeable and that both may be used or either one may be mounted on either side of the unit, as desired. Ordinarily the channel lighting units are mounted in a single continuous row, although each unit may be used individually, if desired.

Fig. 5 illustrates a slightly different embodimerit in which a plurality of units are mounted side by side on a suitable depending support H, which may be in the form of a threaded rod Or a tubular member such as a pipe. In this construction, a reflector 18 is provided with a channel cover portion 19, on which the sockets 5 or other suitable sockets may be mounted in the manner previously described and this cover A sheet metal chan- I9 forms part of the reflector which extends laterally and may be of any suitable cross sectional contour, preferably angular along longitudinal lines, as shown.

The reflector I9 is formed to provide a flange 20 and a shoulder 21 which telescope the channel in the same manner as the cover previously described. The reflector units i9 may be of any desired cross sectional shape, for instance, such as illustrated by dotted lines 22, and are interchangeable in the same manner as the reflectors 13 previously described. The reflector covers are retained on the channels and the entire device may be supported by clamping straps 23 secured by means of nuts Ila on the tube or rod 11.

Fig. 6 illustrates reflectors such as those shown in Fig. 5 'mounted on a single channel unit instead of separate units. The same reflectors may be used in interchangeable combinations.

Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which two sockets 5a are mounted back to back on a single unit. If desired, a single socket base may be provided with sockets therein arranged to support the adjacent ends of two aligned bulbs. In this construction one end of a bulb is supported in a socket on one channel unit and the other end is supported in a socket on the adjacent unit, or where-bulbs are used wherein the terminals are on only one end thereof, two bulbs may be supported on a single socket base and extend in opposite directions. In this embodiment, suitable bolts or screws "Ia are provided for securing the interchangeable reflectors as previously described. The double socket may be positioned in the center of the unit, as shown by dotted lines, and the reflectors may be out out adjacent their inner edge to enable the socket to extend therethrough.

Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive, illustrate various reflectors, each bent along longitudinal lines to provide different lighting characteristics, and any of these reflectors may be interchangeably mounted either singly or in combination with others of the group in the manner previously described. The respective reflectors in these views are, for convenience, indicated by the reference characters A, B, C, D, ll, and F.

Figs. 14 to 19, inclusive, each illustrate a combination obtained by mounting two of the alphabetically marked reflectors on a single unit. For instance, two of the reflectors, A, may be mounted as shown in Fig. 14 or in combination with any of the other reflectors, as in Figs. 16 and 17. Also, two of the reflectors, B, may be mounted on a unit as in Fig. 15 or in combination as in Fig. 18. Other combinations will be obvious.

Fig. 19 illustrates a combination including the reflectors D and E. It will, of course, be apparent that various other combinations may be provided with these same reflectors. The fluorescent type of tubular'lamp and the socket connections therefor have been specifically described herein; however, it should be understood that the invention is adaptable for use in connection with any type of elongated bulb and sockets which may be mounted on the unit in a manner to enable the reflectors to be interchangeably supported in suitablereflecting relation to the light source.

Fig. 20 illustrates an embodiment in which longitudinal reflectors 24 and '25 are provided. and these reflectors may be similar to the reflectors 13 previously described and may also be interchangeable. These reflectors 24 and 2-5 are provided with an inturned flange 26 and these inturned flanges may be inserted between the downturned flanges of the cover 2a and the wiring channel I. As previously stated, the cover 2a is secured in position by means of screws 3 having nuts thereon and which are angularly supported in holes in the corners of the cover as shown. These covers are provided with depressions or pockets 3a adjacent the screws 3, and the cover and wiring channel are secured together by means of the nuts on the screws 3 which deform the upper edge of the wiring channel and clamp the deformed portion into the pocket 3a of the cover.

In this embodiment, the reflectors 24 and 25 are ordinarily of comparatively thin sheet metal of soft material and will readily be formed when the screws 3 are tightened so that the flanges are clamped in the pockets 3a and between the cover and the wiring channel as shown. In this embodiment the cover 2a may also form a reflector. That is, it is preferably highly polished or sprayed with aluminum or the like so that the cover portion and the reflectors 24 and 25 form in cross section a substantially continuous reflector. The reflectors 24 and 25 are, of course, interchangeable with each other and with other reflectors of the lighting structure in the same manner as previously described. The sockets and reactance switch may, of, course, be mounted on the cover 2a in the same manner as previously described.

The channel sections illustrated are only the length of the fixture unit. However, it is intended that they may be of any desired length and the cover units may be closely adjacent thereon or may be spaced as desired with ordinary wiring channel covers therebetween.

*Modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is therefore desired that the invention be limited only by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A wiring strip and socket construction comprising an'elongated channel section having an open side, a cover section for the open side of said channel covering substantially the entire length of said channel section, lamp socket means mounted on said cover for supporting a lamp having an elongated light source substantially parallel to said channel section, and a pair of oppositely disposed trough-like interchangeable reflectors alongside said lamp and substantially coextensive with said section, the inner edges overlapping adjacent said cover and releasably secured thereto to form a substantially continuous reflector surface.

2. A lighting fixture comprising a sheet metal cover adapted to be secured to the open side of a wiring channel, sockets secured to the inner side of said cover and extending therethrough with the outer face of each socket substantially flush with a respective end of said cover, said sockets being arranged to support a tubular fluorescent bulb therebetween and having wiring terminals within said channel, securing means for each socket, and interchangeable trough-like reflectors alongside said bulb and longitudinally coextensive with said cover and having their inner edges overlapping between said sockets and secured to said cover by said socket securing means.

' 3. A wiring strip and socket construction com- 5 prising an elongated channel section having an open side, a cover section for the open side of said channel covering substantially the entire length of said channel section and provided with a reflector surface, lamp socket means mounted on said cover for supporting a lamp having an elongated light source substantially parallel to said channel section, a pair of oppositely disposed elongated interchangeable reflectors alongside said lamp and each having a flange clamped between said cover and said channel section and a reflector portion extending laterally from said flange portion beyond the edge of the channel, and means for securing said cover and channel section and reflectors together, said reflectors and cover being substantially longitudinally coextensive and forming a substantially continuous reflector surface.

4. A lighting construction comprising an elon lated rectilinear wiring housing comprising a channel member and a cover member for said channel member, a pair of longitudinally spaced sockets mounted on said cover member, one adjacent each end thereof for engaging the spaced contacts of an elongated lamp bulb extending therebetween, and two elongated reflector sections extending along and independently attachable with respect to said housing and extending laterally beyond the edges of said channel member, said reflector sections having their adjacent edges intermediate the width of the housing, each reflector section comprising a longitudinally extending flange part independently attachable with respect to said housing and having a re- I fleeting surface lying mainly'between the axis of the lamp bulb and the cover, and another longitudinally extending part integral with said first part havinga reflecting surface lying mainly outside the space between said axis and cover.

5. A lighting construction comprising an elongated rectilinear wiring housing comprising a channel member and a cover member for said channel member, a pair of longitudinally spaced sockets mounted on said cover member, one adjacent each end thereof for engaging the spaced contacts of an elongated lamp bulb extending therebetween, each socket comprising an insulating base having an anchorage portion extending underneath the'end of said cover member and secured thereto, and a contact supporting portion extending upwardly from said anchorage portion above said channel member and said cover, and two elongated reflector sections extending along and independently attachable with beyond the edges of said channel member, said reflector sections having their adjacent edges intermediate the Width of the housing, each reflector section comprising a longitudinally extending flange part independently attachable with respect to said housing and having a refleeting surface lying mainly between the axis of the lamp bulb and the cover, and another longitudinally extending part integral with said first part having a reflecting surface lying mainly outside the space between said axis and cover.

6. A lighting construction comprising an elongated rectilinear wiring housing comprising a channel member and a cover member for said channel member, a pair of longitudinally spaced sockets mounted on said cover member, one adjacent each end thereof for engaging the spaced contacts of an elongated lamp bulb extending therebetween, each socket comprising an insulating base having an anchorage portion extending underneath'the end of said cover member and secured thereto, and a contact supporting portion extending upwardly from said anchorage portion above said cover member, the end faces of said sockets being substantially flush with the ends of said cover member, respectively, and two elongated reflector sections extending'along and independently attachable with respect to said housing and extending laterally beyond the edges of said channel member, said-reflector sections having their. adjacent edges intermediate the width of the housing, each reflector section comprising a longitudinally extending flange part independently attachable with respect to said housing and having a reflecting surface lying mainly between the axis of the lamp bulb and the cover, and another longitudinally extending part integral with said first part having a reflecting surface lying mainly outside the space between said axis and cover.-

'7. A lighting construction comprising an elongated wiring channel, open side of said channel, lamp sockets mounted on and adjacent the ends of said cover for engaging the spaced contacts of an elongated lamp bulb extending therebetween, reflector means for said bulb comprising two elongated sheet metal reflector sections extending along said cover, the reflecting surfaces of said reflector sections being on opposite sides of the central plane through the wiring channel and lamp bulb and extending laterally beyond the side flanges of the channel, said reflector sections being independently attachable with respect to said cover and socket mounting whereby the cover members and sockets may be made up and kept in stock and reflector members of different shapes may thereafter be secured to the cover member to suit particular requirements, said reflector sections having their adjacent edges intermediate the width of the housing, each reflector section comprising a longitudinally extending flange part independently attachable with respect to said housing and having a reflecting surface lying mainly between the axis of thelamp bulb and the cover, and another longitudinally extending part integral with said first part having a reflecting surface lying mainly outside the space between said axis and cover.

8. A device of the character described having an elongated base member of channel cross section, an elongated cover for said channel member forming therewith a housing, lamp holders for supporting an elongated lamp bulb therebetween, each having a wiring base housed between said channel and cover and a projecting lampsupporting lamp contact-carrying part extending outside said housing, and a reflector formed of two longitudinally-extending portions having adjacent edges intermediate the width of the housing, which portions are independently attachable with respect to said housing whereby reflectors of different shapes may be had by substituting for one or the other of said portions of said reflector a different portion of a different shape, each reflector portion comprising'a longitudinally extending flange part independently attachable with respect tosaid housing and having a reflecting surface lying mainly between the axis of the lamp bulb and the cover, and another longitudinally extending part integral with said first part having a reflecting surface lying a cover for closing the mainly outside the space between said axis and cover.

9. A device of the character described having an elongated base member of channel cross section, an elongated cover for said channel member forming therewith a housing, lamp holders for supportingan elongated lamp bulb therebetween, each havinga wiring base housed between said channel and cover and a projecting lampsupporting lamp contact-carrying part extending outsidesaid housing, and a reflector formed of two longitudinally-extending portions having adjacent edges intermediate the width of the housing, which portionsare independently attachable with respect to said housing whereby reflectors of different shapes may be had by substituting for one or the other of said portions of said reflector a difierent portion of a different shape, said lamp holders being mounted on said cover, each reflector portion comprising a longitudinally extending flange part independently attachable withirespect to said housing and having a reflecting surface lying mainly between the axis of the lamp bulb and the cover, and another longitudinally extending part integral with said first part having a reflecting surface lying mainly outside the space between said axis and cover.

10. A device of the character described having an elongated base member of channel cross section, an elongated cover for said channel member forming therewith a housing, lamp holders for supporting an elongated lamp bulb therebetween, each having a wiring base housed between said channel and cover and a projecting lampsupportinglamp contact-carrying part extending outside said housing, and a reflector formed of two longitudinally-extending portions having adjacent edges intermediate the width of the housing, which portions are independently attachable with respect to said housing whereby reflectors of diflerent shapes may be had by substituting for one or the other of said portions of said reflector a different portion of a different shape, said reflector portions being secured to said cover, each reflector portion comprising a longitudinally extending flange part independently attachable with respect to said housing and having a reflecting surface lying mainly between the axis of the lamp bulb and the cover, and another longitudinally extending part integral with said first part having a reflecting surface lying mainly outside the space between said axis and cover.

11. A device of the character described having an elongated base member of channel cross section, an elongated cover for said channel member forming therewith ahousing, lamp holders for supporting an elongated lamp bulb therebetween, each having a wiring basehoused between said channel and cover and a projecting lampsupporting lamp contact-carrying part extendoutside said housing, and a reflector formed of two -longitudinally-extending portions having adjacent edges intermediate the'width of the housing, which portions are independently attachable with respect to said housing whereby reflectors of different shapes may be had by substituting for one or the other of said portions 0: said reflector a different portion of a dilferen shape, said lamp holders and reflector portion being secured to said cover, each reflector por tion comprising a longitudinally extending flang part independently attachable with respect t said housing and having a reflecting surface lyin mainly between the axis of the lamp bulb an the cover, and another longitudinally extending part integral with said first part having a refleeting surface lying mainly outside the space between said axis and cover.

12. A device of the character described having an elongated base and housing member of channel cross section, lamp holders for supporting an elongated lamp bulb therebetween, each holder having a wiring base housed in said channel and a projecting lamp-supporting and lamp contactcarrying part extending outside said housing, and a reflector formed of two longitudinally-extending portions having their adjacent edge portions lying between said lamp and housing member, which portions are independently attachable with respect to said housing member whereby reflectors of different shapes may behad by substituting for one or the other portions of said reflector member a different portion of a different shape, each reflector portion comprising a longitudinally extending flange part independently attachable with respect to said housing and having'a reflecting surface lying mainly between the axis of the lamp bulb and the cover, and another longitudinally extending part integral with said first part having a reflecting surface lying mainly outside the space between said axis and cover. Y

WESLEY WILSON. 

